Basketball has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I can’t imagine that ever changing. Growing up in Indiana, it feels like the love for the game is in most of our DNA- it’s nearly impossible not to get swept up in the excitement of Hoosier Hysteria! One of my favorite aspects of Indiana basketball is our high school gyms. I’ve written about a handful in the past, but thanks to Brett Yoder and Hoosier Gym Journey, I no longer have to.
I played a lot of basketball as a kid at recess, in intramural leagues, on a travel team, and, later, for my school. Our home court was in a grand old gymnasium built in 1957. It sat 2,500 people- about fifty times more than my graduating class! I was never particularly good, but I still got the chance to play in great old gyms around East Central Indiana as we faced the Yorktown Tigers, the Daleville Broncos, and the Burris Owls. I even got to hoop at Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, the iconic home court of Hollywood’s Hickory Huskers.
Other interests pulled me away from playing basketball, but I still follow it vociferously. Brett Yoder’s blog helps me out a lot. On Hoosier Gym Journey, he chronicles his quest to visit every current high school gym in Indiana along with some historic ones. Brett grew up playing in gyms all over northern Indiana and became captivated by their unique character.
Now, he ranks each gym he’s visited and dives into what makes them special. From the way the stands creak with history to the quirks of each court, Brett’s descriptions bring Indiana’s gyms to life! Whether it’s a classic fieldhouse in Kokomo or a hidden gem in Bryant, he’s always on the lookout for the next unforgettable gymnasium to add to his list. I love his blog and read it every time I see a new entry.
Brett’s mission to rank every gym he visits isn’t all that different from my own obsession with tracking down Indiana’s courthouses, schoolhouses, and long line towers. It’s the same kind of quirky passion that fuels this blog. Do you have a unique obsession or hobby? Start a blog of your own! You’d be surprised at how many people will connect with what you have to say.
I certainly was when I launched mine.
You don’t need to be a polished writer to get started. Blogging will help you develop your voice and improve your writing over time. I write much differently today than when I first started rambling about courthouses nine years ago, and I’m still learning every day. You will too, so long as you just start writing.
I began this blog to explore niche topics that fascinate me, like old courthouses, schoolhouses, and other forgotten parts of the built environment. One of its most rewarding aspects has been connecting with people like Brett who share these same quirky passions. I didn’t know him from Adam a few months ago, but now we’re Facebook friends!
Interacting with likeminded people expands my own knowledge and promotes the camaraderie I’ve been sorely missing in my life working at a factory. Honestly, I’m amazed by how many others are intrigued by the same things I am, whether they be courthouses, schools, long line towers, or high school basketball gyms. You’ll be just as surprised when you start your own blog. There’s a community out there waiting to connect with your interests!
If you’re here for East-Central Indiana County history, you can read up on gyms at Blue River, Cowan, Delta, Lapel, New Castle, and more at Hoosier Gym Journey. I can’t recommend Brett’s work enough! There’s something magical about those worn hardwood floors and the echoes of past games that capture the history and heart of a community. Brett brings those feelings to life in captivating fashion. You’ll feel like you’re right there in the gym with him! I hope you check his blog out. In the meantime, what’s stopping you from starting one of your own?
Just a few weeks ago, we re-watched “Hoosiers” for the first time in years. I loved seeing the insides of those quirky old gyms.